Multistream Exhaust Gas Cleaning System

EGCS

Capacity range

Up to 30 MW (engine equivalent)

SOx removal rate

>99%

Modes of operation

Open Loop and hybrid system

Meeting IMO conformity

Around the world, the overwhelming majority of ships run on engines and boilers powered by heavy fuel oil. The resulting combustion exhaust gases that are emitted contain soot and sulfur oxides that pollute the environment. The gradual reduction of limit values is now creating a need for action amongst shipping and charter companies. For new buildings, gas-powered or dual fuel solutions are playing an increasingly important role – but a gas-based propulsion system has a long way to go and the fuel is subject to significant price fluctuations and bunkering challenges. Ports around the world also currently lack the necessary infrastructure to bunker gas fuel. There is also the question of usability over long distances and, ultimately, conversion to dual fuel is costly and challenging task.

System infrastructure and cleaning process

The SAACKE hybrid multistream exhaust gas cleaning system can be connected to main and auxiliary engines as well as boilers. After the combustion process the exhaust gases are routed to the wash tower inlet which routes the exhaust gas to the lower part of the wash tower. Wash water spray nozzles lower the temperature of the entering exhaust gases and form the first stage of SOX removal (quench). From here the exhaust gases flow upwards through the main tower body passing a packed bed reactor which is sprinkled with sea water from the top. In this second stage of SOX removal the desulfurization process is completed. The result is more than 99 percent sulfur separation.

Decisive benefits of the SAACKE solution

The scrubber is designed as a U-Type, which offers the safe and robust way of scrubber operation. This means that it can be flexibly adjusted to individual operating conditions. Its short payback period, often only about 2 years, makes it an attractive option for both retrofits and newbuildings. Experienced SAACKE personnel will take over the commissioning and supervision of the construction for the customer. Moreover the system fully satisfies the IMO MEPC.259(68) regulation. The in-house developed HMI (Human-Machine Interface) displays all relevant operational data and facilitates the management of the system in general. A user-friendly touchscreen in the control cabinet, displays all relevant operational data. A remote HMI is established in the engine control room to allow operations to be conducted from this central location.

All operating data can be viewed using the EGCS monitor, which is installed on a computer on the ship and networked to the control cabinet. With a few clicks, the monitoring system creates an emission report, which not only shows emissions data, but combines this with geodata and periods of time that can be configured individually. In addition to storing data on the ship, the data can be stored with a mobile data connection (mobile communications or satellite), making them available to the ship owner at all times and from any place. The measured data is stored onboard permanently, exceeding the required storing time of 18 months. A special protocol ensures the compressed and tamper-proof transfer of the data, resulting in minimum costs for data traffic. The data is then saved on access-protected servers.

In conclusion, the efficient and practical engineering reflects SAACKE's decades of experience in the field of maritime applications.